If Essendon is open to parting ways with contracted key defender Ben McKay, who would be the leading suitors for his services?
At his best, McKay is a lockdown defender, but has also shown strong traits in the ruck when used sparingly by Dean Solomon during his Bombers interim tenure.
The 2015 draftee was a big name to cross to Essendon after eight years at North Melbourne, signing a lucrative contract that was heavily front-loaded.
But now the Bombers are understood to be considering a breakup with McKay, who is contracted until the end of 2029.
New coach Mark McVeigh will play a strong role in the exit meetings as well as in McKay's future.
It's understood that delisting McKay is an option, whereas Essendon would prefer a trade to help add more draft capital to its hand, which includes Pick 1.
Port Adelaide
The Power have Aliir Aliir and Esava Ratugolea, but after that, their key defensive stocks are slim.
Josh Carr needs a lockdown defender, and with the intercept traits of Aliir and Ratugolea, the trio would work nicely together (on paper).
Port Adelaide previously held interest in McKay when he became a restricted free agent before joining the Bombers.
Could that interest be revived?
Making things slightly complicated is Dougie Cochrane's looming arrival, which the Bombers could make a bid on with Pick 1, and what the Power needs to land the talented draft prospect.
